Process Modeling Engineer

Synonym is a technology company focused on accelerating production and market adoption of materials and ingredients made with biology. Founded in early 2022, Synonym has established itself as the leading player in the sector, providing bioproduct-related data services and facilitating production via its network of capacity partners.

With Synonym, you'll play a critical role in shaping the future of biomanufacturing, influencing how major corporations approach innovation and commercialization in a rapidly evolving sector.  If you're ready to tackle impactful challenges in a fast-moving startup environment, we'd love to connect.

Role Description (Process Modeling Engineer)

Synonym is developing the next generation of our Scaler product: a process simulation and techno-economic assessment (TEA) tool for industrial processes. The goal of Scaler is to make the early stages of process engineering 10x faster, helping companies and investors bring new products to market and accelerate industrial decarbonization.

As a process modeling engineer, you’ll work closely with our software team to develop Scaler from the ground up by designing and implementing engineering equations and simulation logic into the Scaler tool for a variety of industrial processes. We’re looking for candidates who enjoy taking ideas from 0 to 1, owning key pieces of a project, and delivering value to users. As a key hire on the Scaler team, you’ll have the opportunity to shape our product roadmap and grow with the team.

Ideal candidates should be comfortable leading the development of process simulation logic and equations, have an ability to implement their ideas into pseudo-code and/or technical briefs that can be implemented by the software team, and have demonstrated experience building process simulation models in an academic or professional setting.

Example projects you might work on:

• Building a flexible simulation engine for a biofermentation reactor and associated equipment

• Building out a framework for simulating OSBL utility systems, including electrical systems and chillers

• Working with our software team to inform the implementation of LLM-powered capabilities to generate suggestions for our chemical engineering team as they use the tool

• Interfacing directly with Scaler users to learn needs, understand feedback, and update process models

Key Responsibilities

• Lead process simulation logic development for Scaler

• Contribute across the project and play an active role in technical decisions

• Help shape our product vision and roadmap based on user feedback

• Work closely with the process engineering, software, platform, and business teams to align product simulation roadmap with internal/external needs

Competencies

Must-have

• Strong fundamentals in process engineering topics, including HMB/MEB development, thermodynamics, and techno-economic analysis

• Proven knowledge and strong understanding of major industrial processes unit operations. 

• Proven experience in process modeling of entire process include utilities and OSBL systems in addition to core process.

• Strong ability to communicate complex technical topics to software team and non-technical colleagues

• High level of ownership and responsibility

• Good communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively on a remote team.

Nice-to-have

• Experience in python, matlab, or similar languages

• Early-stage startup experience

• Experience in front end engineering design including developing process simulations, utility summaries and equipment sizing calculations. 

• Familiarity with multiple science and engineering disciplines (e.g., biology, physics, chemistry)

• BSin Chemical Engineering or a related field preferred.

Compensation

$110,000-150,000

Other

While fully-remote, Synonym’s team values cohesiveness and in-person collaboration. We have a preference for candidates near our existing team (NYC, SF/Bay Area, Boston) who are open to hybrid work. This role would primarily work with our lead software engineer who is located in Cambridge, MA.

Our team aspires to hire great people and create an environment where we can be happy, feel challenged, and do our best work. It's an exciting time to join Synonym and build that environment from the ground up!

Benefits Include

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Daily lunch allowance

• Beautiful office in SoHo (NYC), or coworking space (Boston, SF Bay Area)

• Competitive compensation packages, including equity

• Flexible PTO

• 401(k) 

• Team offsites

Synonym provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and abilities.